News

Investigation launched into death of TV crush baby in Burnley

A TOP-level probe will report back later this year to see if any lessons can be learned from the tragic death of Burnley tot Kian McMillan.

Little Kian lost his life, aged four months, after a five-stone television toppled on to him from a nearby cupboard at a house in Scarlett Street.

His mother, Natalie, had been trying to plug a scart lead into the back of the TV at the time, while Kian was on a changing mat below.

He died after suffering ‘catastrophic’ brain injuries.

She is now starting a 15-month jail sentence after being convicted of child neglect. She was high on drink and drugs at the time.

And Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board has confirmed that a serious case review is under way into the baby’s tragic death.

Preston Crown Court heard that Natalie McMillan and Kian had been visited by social workers four days before the death.

Social services had concerns over McMillan’s partner, and Kian’s father, Edward Hanratty, who had mental health and drug problems.

He had two of his previous children removed from him.

McMillan had assured a health worker that she was no longer in a relationship with Hanratty, and was off drugs.

Nigel Burke, independent chairman of Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board, said: “This is a very tragic case indeed. A serious case review was commissioned into this baby’s tragic death and it will be published later in the year after we have been able to share its findings with family members.

“In the meantime, the board is already helping agencies to further improve ways of working using learning from the case.”

Hanratty, who was also convicted of child neglect, went on the run after failing to attend Preston Crown Court for a sentencing hearing on Thursday.